THE ATTACK ON OTAPAWA.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 210, 31 January 1866, Page 3

THE ATTACK ON OTAPAWA.

Prom the main road between Manawapo and Waingongora, there stretches northward an extensive level of grassy plain, bordered by bush inland, where gentle undulations gradually rise into hills, and further on into abrupt forest ranges. Valleys and gullies running in all directions detach here and there forest clad and isolated hills and ridges, forming a perfect labyrinth of accessible and inaccessible positions. In the former, the Hau-hau villages are scattered plentifully, and in the latter you may look for their pahs. Otawapa pah is one of the most formidable positions in this neighborhood, and one of the most difficult to find. The approach to it leads up and down forest ridges across a fertile valley where the slopes are covered with plantations ; you see everywhere the evidence of Maori proximity, yet the pah is nowhere visible. A turn in a road leading through bush up a steep hill at last brings you face to face with it at 200 yards distance. At that point the field force under General Chute saw it this morning for the first time, and at that short range the engagement began. The field force had left Putahi on the 10th; arrived at Kakaramea the same day ; made Tangohoe (beyond Manawapa) on the 11th ; Puketarata on the 12th, within five mile 3 of Otapawa pah, the latter was attacked and demolished this day, January 13th. At two a.m. detachments under Colonels Hasssard and Butler ; of the 14th, under Colonel Trevor ; Eangers, under Major Von Tempsky ; Natives and Native Contigent, under their Chiefs and Ensign Macdonnell, marched towards Otapawa ; three Armstrong six-pounders, under Lieut. Carey, accompanied the expedition. The pah had been somewhat reconnoitred the day previous by Ensign Macdonnell and his natives, on which occasion a large village with a magnificent council-house (equal to Ngaruawatau palace), was burned ; also it was ascertained that from a neighboring ridge artillery might play upon the pah ; this was put into execution to-day, when the force was about half a mile from the pah, and thanks to Lieut. Carey's skill, with some effect, as we had occasion to see afterwards. The 57th was leading next came the Eangers, then the 14th. Three shots from the Armstrong had called forth no reply from the Hau-haus, a most unusual thing, many a one, even to the General, thought that the pah had been abandoned. Even when the least corner of the bush was turned within two hundred yards of the pah, the pah. lay there as silent as a graveyard — and as ominous. Colonel Butler, on advancing further, . could shortly see that the silence was not i caused through a want of occupants. The ' rifle pits behind the pallisacling were j thickly lined with black heads, and a bush at right angles with the pah swarmed with the black vermin. The whole tableau, the strength of the pah, the number of the enemy (300), their evident determination to reserve their fire at the deadliest range, J all formed a picture that well might cause an interested observer to pause, but G-en. Chute knows no such thing as hesitation, " The 57th advance ; the Eangers clear the bush !" and off went both corps in double time; then came the crash, the rattling volley after volley. The 14th came up, in quick time and extended partially in front of the pah. The Eangers got to the rear of the pah, just at the time that the 57th gallantly Ibrced their way in, in front. Some advantageous volleys were fired into a flock of flying Hau-haus by the Eangers, when the latter entered the pah on the left rear angle. The pah, considered up to this time impregnable by all the Maories of the neighborhood, had fallen, and 20 minutes afterwards was a heap of burning ruins. Thirteen bodies, ten in the pah and five in the gully, were found at first j afterwards, more still were found and " made " by our natives (they could not come in time into position through the length of their route, and the time-saving disposition of the General.) The Hauhaua must have had at least thirty killed. •Jhx? victory was aot bought very cheaply,

however. Five dead of ours lay on the field, and nearly a dozen wounded. One valuable life hangs now by a thread, and two of the wounded have died already. A brave Maori, Spain by name, a guide to the Rangers, was shot dead— a loss much deplored by his commander, and another Ranger is wounded, but only slightly. But as the French have it, that one connto make an omelette sans casser des ceufs, so we must pay for our laurels. The prestige of dash in the British soldier, lost almost entirely in this part of the island, has been nobly resuscitated by General Chute. ! ' 4»